Practicum

[STACI1228]

So I have a practicum tomorrow on vitals, PPE, assessment, etc. We don't know what the instructors are going to ask for. All we were told is that we will all definitely be doing T, P, R, BP and PPE. As far as a physical assessment, we will know when the time comes. I'm worried about the assessment part. It's very intimidating to have people standing there staring at you waiting for you to give the right answers. My friend said "walk in there like you own it". I guess she's right, confidence is more than half the battle. Any advice for the assessment portion?

Thanks everyone!!

Staci

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

What have you been taught, as far as performing assessments? I usually like to start with asking the pt if they're having any pain and then go through the whole pain assessment (what do you rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10? How would you describe the pain? When did it start? Does anything make it worse or better? What have you done/meds taken to alleviate pain so far? Any other symptoms that accompany the pain? etc.)

Then I typically go "head to toe" for the physical examination. Neuro, cardio, pulmonary, peripheral vascular, GI/GU, skin, musculoskeletal, etc.

Will they expect you to know/test all 12 cranial nerves?

[jennylee321]

As with any lab:

-hand hygiene

-ask the patient if you can enter their bedspace/do vitals and yes as previous poster said ask about pain

-ensure privacy

-know the order in which the PPE goes on/off and which type is required

-warm your hands/stethoscope for assessment

-make sure you are leaving patient comfortable, with call bell and bed rails up

-and then hand hygiene again and go chart